Beware of Black Ice, Freezing Roadways in NoVA, Officials Say

By Jamie Rogers

Black ice on roadways, bridges and hills is very likely for Friday as a weather system bringing snow, wind and rain moves through the area, Virginia Department of Transportation officials said Thursday afternoon. 

As snow began to fall in Northern Virginia just before the afternoon rush hour, VDOT officials said some 1,250 trucks will work to prepare roads in Northern Virginia for snow and ice. 

The National Weather Service issued a Wind Advisory for the entire Washington-Baltimore region, starting Friday at 2 a.m. until noon.

Expect sustained winds between 20 and 30 mph, with gusts in some areas up to 50 mph, according to the NWS.

The high winds can down tree limbs and power lines, adding to already difficult driving conditions.  

“The major concern is overnight icing on bridge decks and roadways,” Branco Vlacich, VDOT’s district maintenance engineer for Northern Virginia, said on Thursday.  

“Be aware of black ice (Friday) morning—pavement temperatures will drop quickly (Thursday) tonight and remain well below freezing Friday.”

VDOT crews will put down salt to mix with rain and help prevent ice from bonding to the pavement.

High temperatures for Friday are expected to hover around 26 degrees with a 10 percent chance of precipitation. With the wind chill it will feel much colder.